Why is it more than okay to be optimistic about the LA Rams in 2024?

IV: Rams roster reset

While the Rams roster was spared the infamous wrath of another injury epidemic, we cannot say the team was unaffected by injuries. Starting QB Matthew Stafford missed two games in 2023, and played through pain in many other games. WR Cooper Kupp missed five games and also played through pain. RB Kyren Williams played in 12 games, missing key games due to injuries. And then you have the mix-and-match trials of various players that did not seem to settle on consistent starters until after the team's Week 10 BYE.

All told, it took time for new coaches to recognize starters on the roster. Coaches will build on that work this season.

The Rams roster was not just fighting through injuries. The team did not start to playe veteran WR Demarcus Robinson in the offense until after the BYE. So too, the team did not give veteran DB John Johnson III much work until after the BYE. The Rams did not get luck in the second half of the 2023 NFL season. The coaches simply recognized the talent on the roster.

III: Offense loaded with depth

While the offense suffered injuries to key players in 2023, the front office did not turn a blind eye to the situation. The team has veteran Jimmy Garoppolo backing up Stafford, rookie RB Blake Corum backing up Kyren Williams, and rookie WR Jordan Whittington to learn from and back up Kupp. But the team also added FA Colby Parkinson to handle the workload until Tyler Higbee is medically cleared, as well as two rookie offensive linemen Beaux Limmer and K.T. Leveston.

I was a bit concerned about the team's depth in 2023. I have no such concerns about this team in 2024. Even the offensive line, a group that has not been the focus of the team for many years. is about as robust as it has ever been. With a backup roster of:

Rams projected backup offensive linemen

• LT - Joe Noteboom
• LG - Mike McAlister
• C - Beaux Limmer
• RG - K.T. Leveston
• RT - Warren McClendon

This offense has a solid set of offensive linemen who could be called up to start for an injured player. And the roster still has Zach Thomas, AJ Arcuri, Blake Larson, Logan Bruss, Grant Miller, and Justin Dedich to sort through as well.

Still not excited yet? Well, flip to the next slide, because we have much more to discuss.